Zones in the Asthma treatment program
If you or your child need daily treatment, it is very important to have a treatment program. The treatment program is a plan in writing, which describes how to treat an asthma attack. It helps you to make quick decisions if you are unable to think clearly during an attack.
The treatment program tells:
- How to treat asthma attacks in the early stages, before the disease goes into severe form.
- What to do if the attack grows into a serious form, and where you can get the necessary medical care.
The treatment program will help to stay active, not remembering about asthma. Adherence to the instructions of the treatment program is a big step in controlling the disease.
What do the zones in the treatment program mean?
The state of asthma is divided into three zones. To find out in which area you are now, you need to measure the maximum volumetric expiratory flow rate or observe the symptoms. The maximum volumetric expiratory flow rate is an indicator of how quickly and how much you can exhale. To measure the maximum volumetric expiratory flow rate, a pneumotachometer is used, an inexpensive device for home use. The attending physician will tell you how to use it.
The zones of asthma state vary in color.
Green area . Green means "Go."
- You are in the green zone, if the parameters of the pneumotachometer are within 80% - 100% of the personal best result. Being in the green zone, there should be no symptoms. The green zone is the state to which one should strive daily.
- If your condition can always be attributed to the green zone, the attending physician may suggest reducing the daily dose of medications.
Yellow zone . Yellow means "Warning".
- You are in the yellow zone, if the parameters of the pneumotachometer range from 50% to 80% of the personal best result. Symptoms may not appear, but the pulmonary function may worsen. If the symptoms are manifested, they are usually minimal or moderate in severity, but may interfere with the usual activities or do not sleep.
- The yellow zone is the warning zone. The treatment program describes what medicines you need to take, at what dose and when.
- If you are constantly in the yellow zone, talk to your doctor. He must prescribe another medicine or increase the dose of an already prescribed medication.
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zones in the Asthma treatment program[/caption]
Red zone . Red means Stop.
- You are in the red zone if the parameters of the pneumotachometer are less than 50%. Symptoms can be very severe. You may suffer severe cough or shortness of breath.
- If symptoms or indices of the pneumotachometer are related to the red zone, consult the treatment program.
- Immediately call the ambulance if you are in the red zone and followed all the instructions of the treatment program, but:
- You are very difficult breathing.
- It took 20 to 30 minutes after taking an additional dose of the drug, but it does not get better and the parameters of the pneumotachometer are still less than 50%.
How can a treatment program help me?
The treatment program suggests when to begin intensive treatment to avoid severe asthma attacks. Also, the program tells what to do in case of emergency and where to seek medical help.
Why should I use the treatment program?
The treatment program makes it possible to prevent asthma attacks. It can help:
- Control the treatment.
- Reduce the frequency and severity of seizures.
- Avoid frequent visits to a doctor or hospitalization.
Test your knowledge
The treatment program makes a person more dependent on the attending physician.
The treatment program helps to keep the treatment under control and be more independent. The program describes what to do during asthma attacks, and also helps to avoid frequent visits to a doctor or hospitalization.
How to use the treatment program?
Development of a treatment program
- Along with your doctor, make a treatment program for you or your child. The treatment program is based on the parameters of the maximum volumetric expiratory flow rate and symptoms. The treatment program can display the following:
- Indicators of the pneumotachometer and symptoms for each zone.
- Necessary medicines for each zone.
- When to call a doctor.
- List of contact phones.
- List of asthma pathogens.
- Let your doctor know about your wishes regarding treatment. For example, if you are uncomfortable using a pneumatic tachometer, tell him about it.
- If you are preparing a treatment program for your child, then copies of the program should be distributed to school personnel and make sure that they know exactly how to use it.
Take your medications daily and follow the treatment program
- Take medications daily to prevent asthma attacks and damage to the lungs.
- Check the parameters of the pneumotachometer every morning and evening. This is the best way to know how the lungs work.
- Check with the treatment program to know to which area your condition is at the moment.
- If you are in the green zone, continue taking the medication.
- If you are in the yellow zone, therefore, an attack of asthma is coming. You do not need to have any symptoms. But even in the absence of symptoms, lung function may be greatly impaired. Take the medications listed in the treatment program. If you are constantly in the yellow zone, consult your doctor: you must replace or increase the dose of the prescribed medication.
- If you are in the red zone, follow the instructions of the treatment program. If after some time the symptoms or results of the pneumotachometer do not improve, you need to call a doctor or an ambulance.
- Keep a diary. Record the parameters of the pneumotach. If you have an attack, write down what could have caused it (if you know) the symptoms and medications that you took.
Checking the treatment program
- When going to see a doctor, do not forget to take a treatment program and a diary with you. If you have any questions about the treatment program or symptoms, ask your doctor. Give the doctor to understand how effective the prescribed treatment is in dealing with your illness.
- Take a pneumotachometer and prescription medication with you so that the doctor can review the treatment prescribed earlier.
- Make sure you know how and when to call a doctor or go to an ambulance.
- Be sure to notify your doctor if there is a problem with the treatment program.
Test your knowledge
Once formulated, the treatment program does not need revision.
The treatment program should be reviewed at regular intervals to maximize control over the symptoms. For each appointment with a doctor, take a treatment program with you, as well as a diary, to discuss with the attending physician the efficacy of the prescribed treatment.
Where to go?
After reading this information, you are now ready to start working with the treatment program.
Talk to your doctor
If you have any questions about this information, ask them at the next appointment with a doctor. You can mark sections or make notes where you have questions.
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